Monday, September 27, 2010

The National Rifle Association broke with some big-name Republicans to endorse Iowa’s Democratic governor, Chet Culver, in the Hawkeye State’s gubernatorial race.

The pro-gun group’s Political Victory Fund cited Culver’s support for relaxing regulations on carrying concealed weapons this spring.

Culver, who is trailing former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, welcomed the endorsement, saying in a statement, that it “speaks to a record of bipartisan accomplishment, and putting Iowans before politics. As Governor, I have never hesitated to stand up for Iowans’ Second Amendment rights.”

The NRA usually backs Republicans – the three other candidates it endorsed today were for the GOP – and Branstad has the support of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney, potential presidential candidates in 2012.